PROTECTING FAITH AND FREEDOM IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Protecting Faith and Freedom in Public Schools Dear Friend, In 1962 and 1963, when the U.S. Supreme Court declared Bible reading and school-sponsored prayer unconstitutional, so began the systematic dismantling of any public school instruction reflective of our nation's founding religious principles. The Left's hostility toward religious expression in the classroom has created a generation that is largely misinformed and ignorant concerning First Amendment protections of religious expression. Case in point: a recent survey found 45 percent of college students across the United States want the "In God We Trust" motto removed from American currency. But no matter how hard the Left tries, courageous Christians continue to push back and stand up for their faith in public schools. In California, two students in an elementary school were prevented from handing out during their recess and lunchtime fliers to promote the Bring Your Bible to School Day event. The mother of both students filed a lawsuit against the school district and won. As part of the settlement, revisions were made to the district's freedom of speech policy, permitting students to engage in religious expression without fear of retaliation. Also in California, thirteen-year-old Brooklyn Benzel submitted "Joy to the World" as her selection for a piano recital at South Sutter Charter School. The school rejected the song as "too religious" because the lyrics include words like "savior" and "heaven" -- despite the fact that Brooklyn's performance was to be instrumental! When Julianne Benzel found out that her daughter's song had been rejected, she immediately fought back. She threatened legal action, and the charter school reversed its decision. "I could have easily submitted a new song, but the next thing you know the First Amendment is dead," Julianne responded in a recent interview. All it takes to hold school districts and communities accountable to the First Amendment is for a few people to stand bravely and publicly defend their God-given freedom -- as protected by the Constitution! Will you stand with FRC in defending the constitutional rights of teachers, students, and parents? Donate Now to Defend Their Rights Your generous donation will enable us to educate and advocate on behalf of students, teachers, and parents on their constitutional right to live out their faith in their school in our "In God We Trust" campaign. Our country already has laws protecting religious expression, but many students and educators are unaware that they do not have to check their faith at the door in public schools. According to the U.S. Department of Education's guidelines, students' constitutional rights include: Prayer and Bible reading in school Expressions of faith in classroom assignments and homework Teacher-led prayer groups with other teachers Student-led prayer groups and religious clubs in school Expressions of faith at school events like graduation ceremonies In fact, less than two weeks ago on Religious Freedom Day, the Trump administration announced new rules to reinforce the freedom of public school students across the country to pray and express their religious beliefs. States must now certify that they are compliant with U.S. Department of Education guidelines which protect students' religious freedom. If schools fail to protect religious freedom, they run the risk of losing federal funding! This is why our "In God We Trust" campaign is so important! Will you support FRC with your prayers and financial gifts, as we educate students and educators about their rights and continue to promote and defend religious liberty in our education system? DONATE NOW As secular society continues attempting to restrict First Amendment protections, it becomes more and more critical to educate the next generation on the fundamental right of religious liberty. We must not allow those who are hostile to religious freedom to try to confine faith to a church or our homes. We must be free to allow our Christian faith to be freely expressed in all aspects of life -- including in public schools. Thank you for joining FRC in helping the next generation understand and promote their religious freedom. Your tax-deductible donation equips FRC to inform parents, students, and teachers about their constitutional rights and how to use them. And as believers in Christ, let's commit to pray for teachers, students, and our public schools! DONATE NOW P.S. - We must push back and stand for faith in our public schools! Please consider a generous gift today to support FRC's work of promoting religious freedom for the next generation.  2020 Family Research Council. 801 G Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20001